Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 122

Cordelia sat slumped at her desk, now changed into her cozy pajamas. Elbows planted firmly on the wood, she cradled her smartphone in her hands, awaiting a reply from the members of her social group chat.

Since yesterday, the question had been gnawing at her, who exactly was Everard? Even Sanderson, the guy who knew everyone in town, didn’t recognize the name. Could it be that Everard was a ghost, a figment of her Imagination?

This morning’s chat in the Pioneers Group sparked a realization, the group was a melting pot of professionals from various fields. Surely someone might know him, right?

But after she posted her question, the chat fell eerily silent.

After a torturous two–minute wait, a reply finally popped up.

Bland asked, [Lia, are you pulling our leg? How could you not know him?]

Cordelia blinked, her instincts telling her that Bland knew Everard. She typed back hastily, [Who is he?]

Silence fell over the group once again.

Just as she was about to probe further, another message came through.

Nolnterruptions said, [Never heard of him.]

Like an icebreaker, the message prompted a flurry of responses.

Pianoman said, [Nope, doesn’t ring a bell.]

Mathster replied, [A mystery to me.]

Painter said, [Who?]

Chef replied, [Not a clue.]

Others all replied, [No idea.]

Everyone chimed in except Louie Adams. Cordelia’s brow furrowed as she read the stream of ignorance, finally addressing Bland directly, [So, you’re the one who knows him, @Bland?]

Bland replied, [No, I definitely do not.]

was confused,

[Sorry, must’ve been a brain fart.

was speechless, […]

nobody knew

Painter’s earlier message – [If anyone digs up anything about him, I’d appreciate a heads up.

her phone aside and opened the book “The Periodic Table” that she’d borrowed from her grandmother. The

through the pages with a

school education was comprehensive and had even self–studied some college material, but compared to the true experts, she

to double down on her

and honey. “Get some sleep, dear. You have to

always open to good advice, nodded in

a new message popped up on her phone,

you asking about this

from Louie. She pondered for a moment before replying with the naked truth, (He’s

way. Is he in Greenmeadow?]

[Yes, do you

a cryptic message: [Be careful around him in real life.

he mean by keeping her distance? They

sighed deeply, replying. I can’t stay away from him,

to misunderstand, thinking she was waxing poetic about love, just as Lorna and

could decide, Louie replied, [Why?]

her meaning. After a moment’s thought, she responded: [Because “Love or Die”

Louie went silent.

indicator blinked for another ten minutes, but still

showering and returning, Cordelia found Louie’s response: I know. I’ll see

He

eyes widened with a glimmer of hope. Anyone else might have called him immediately, but Cordelia was patient by nature. If Louie

a single

hair, and slipped into bed. Just as she was about to turn off the device, it rang, the sharp tone jarring in the quiet

number. What

she answered, and a familiar voice, more velvety than she remembered, greeted

in the nocturnal stillness, somehow more appealing. She hesitated

so soothing it seemed to caress the night air.